There was lots of discussion about facing the Knicks on Wednesday in the Garden when the Nets can pretty much be sure the home team won’t get booed at the foul line like happens in Newark (“That’s crazy,” Jordan Farmar admitted).

But before the Nets get to see the guy they spent six months chasing, Carmelo Anthony, there was a matter of facing the Rockets on Tuesday in their first official game as non-playoff people.

“As much emphasis as we have in that Knicks game, game there’s more emphasis tonight,” Anthony Morrow said. “Coach Avery (Johnson) wouldn’t have it any other way.”

But it seems like the Nets will have as many people in the infirmary as they’ll have dressed for the game. No Deron Williams (wrist) but indications are he’ll try it at the Garden. No Sundiata Gaines (fractured hip, done for the year). No Damion James (sore foot, he’s out the rest of this week). No Quinton Ross (herniated disk, he was consulting a back surgeon).

Johnson said he intends to visit Gaines; James may practice Monday.

“Gaines is still home. I’m going to go visit him on Thursday. We want him to stay home. He’s on crutches. He cannot put any weight on his hip. So I’m going to ahead and visit with him on Thursday,” Johnson said. “Ross is out. Visiting right now with the surgeon about his process. Damion James is out the rest of this week. We’re going to try to maybe get him in practice maybe on Monday and see where he is. We’ve changed his orthotics, made some adjustments there. The pain has subsided, the soreness a little bit more in the area where he had the surgery. But we’ll keep him out the rest of this week.”

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Johnson was convinced Brook Lopez would bounce back from the first no-rebound game of his life. He was looking for signs from his center at shootaround.

“Body language. Body language. Body language. Intensity. There’s a certain look that he has his eyes when I know he’s ready,” said Johnson, insisting Lopez had that look. “He was focused this morning. We went in the lab over there (weight room) and worked on a few things. He should be ready to go.”

Lopez admitted he was “bothered” by no rebounds.

“I don’t know how to further explain bothered. That’s a pretty basic word,” said Lopez, who claimed he was unaware he never had zero rebounds before. “I wasn’t honestly. I’m so glad you looked it up.”

Lopez has been receiving laser treatment and ice on the calcium deposit in his upper right arm. He said it only is a nuisance when he gets hit right on the spot.

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Assistant coach Larry Krystkowiak remains firmly in the running for the University of Utah head coaching position. Krystkowiak interviewed for the post in 2007 and is back on the Utes’ radar.

Johnson said the Nets gave the school permission to talk to their coach.

“He’s done a great job for us this year. If something were ever to happen for Larry, we’d hate to lose him,” said Johnson, confirming the permission with “Yes. And I’ll leave it right there.”